2015 CRV recommendation

[Maxximus]

Looking for some advice for my 2015 CRV.

This is the first keeper vehicle our family is going to have - by that I mean no more leases - we are going to pay it off and keep her - so I want to be very careful how I treat this new addition to the family as we are planning on keeping it for a long while.

Honda says the oil requirement for this vehicle is 0W20, there is no heavier duty oil mentioned, which is fine for our weather and driving conditions in winter. However in summer I will work this new CRV pretty hard. Our summer cottage is 450km away through some serious mountain terrain with hot temperatures. The CRV will be packed with 2 adults, 2 teens and a full trunk and bike rack. We will do this trip 10-15 times between May and September. Will also do some light towing of a jet ski while at the cabin. Our last vehicle was a Chevy equinox which was easily up to the task (we were certainly no speed demon that's for sure)

Would a synthetic 5W20 or 5W30 be appropriate for summer driving and go back to 0W20 in the winter months?

 

[Danh]

Stick with the 0w-20. 5w-20 has no more protection than 0w-20 and likely has inferior base stocks. Millions of cars and trucks are leading long and happy lives on 0/5w-20s and the manufacturers have done tons of testing. Plus, why run something other than the factory specifies and run the risk of a warranty issue?

All 0w-20s are at least a synthetic blend, but if you want to feel a bit better use a full syn like Mobil1 AFE.

We use our 2015 CRV similarly (including trips to the cottage) and I think you'll find it does the job superbly. In hills the CVT and engine noise isolation are a great combo: the only way to know the engine if working harder is to look at the tach.

 

[IndyIan]

I'd worry more about the transmission than the engine oil. Honda had some optimistic intervals on our CRV, probably you should use the severe service schedule if there is one.

 

[Stewart Fan]

In my '13 I've ran 0w-20,0w-30,5w-20,5w-30. Last spring and summer's OCI was a 50/50 blend of 5w-20 and 10w-30.

I tow my dirt bikes on a 5x8 utility trailer. I also tow a 14' aluminum boat. I don't base which oil I'm going to use on whether I'll be towing or season.

Whichever viscosity (within reason) I can get cheapest is what goes in the sump.

I honestly can't tell a difference between any of the viscosities I've tried.

0w-20 would be fine for you year round. IMO,heavier in the summer would be fine as well.

 

[Chris Meutsch]

You will be fine with 0w20.

 

[EdwardC]

Originally Posted By: IndyIan
I'd worry more about the transmission than the engine oil. Honda had some optimistic intervals on our CRV, probably you should use the severe service schedule if there is one.


I would agree as well. I've been running 0W20 in both an Element and Civic that specified 5W20 with no problem (as expected). I'd also be more concerned with the transmission. At least with the standard automatics I'm familiar with, it was always beneficial to stay on top of fluid changes, especially with towing or mountainous/heavy loads, and possibly the addition of a transmission cooler.

With that said, I don't know much about the CVT, so none of that might apply.

To be honest, I'd just keep up with the fluid replacement schedule and just enjoy it as is. Your use sounds like what Honda designed the CRV to do.

 

[Stewart Fan]

Originally Posted By: IndyIan
I'd worry more about the transmission than the engine oil. Honda had some optimistic intervals on our CRV, probably you should use the severe service schedule if there is one.


I don't know about the CVT,but the 5AT in our '13 is very easy to maintain.

It takes about 15 minutes to drain/refill the ATF.

 

[NO2]

Honda recommends 40K km fluid changes on the CVT in mountain driving or for towing. An on-roof bike rack adds lots of drag at high speeds and your engine will work harder. Since your CRV is likely in-warranty I'd stick with the factory recommendations of 0w-20 and change when the maintenance minder says so.

 

[stockrex]

Tranny - drain and fill before Honda service guide recomm, do it at dealer till warranty is up
if AWD - do rear end service also at dealer by the book or early
Brake fluid flush - same, use coupon at dealer

so in essence the oil is the least of your worries,
Also, keep an eye on the A/C system, mine leaked from day one, Honda has been less than forthcoming.
Keep an eye on moisture inside your vehicle, signs in leaks.

 

[Schmoe]

Our 14 CRV has the free oil changes for life at the dealership thing going, so I'm using that. Wife drives about 23K a year with lots of stop and go and idling, along with the killer summer heat Oklahoma throws at you and it's been nothing short of excellent. On the older CRV we had, I used M1 LL 5W-30 with about 12K OCI's and never had any issues. Stick to the book, it's what the dealerships are doing and your OLM, and drive on with confidence.

 

[Nick1994]

You could run that thing on the track all day long with 0w20 and it would be fine.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Use a full synthetic 0w20 for best results. You can use the OCI suggested by the MM with confidence because it will adjust for your driving conditions.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

I you had a newer Subi with a stick id say use a 5w30, on the big engine Honda who knows. This is ALL anecdotal evidence of engine lasting as long on a 20 grade. Anybody have any industry "secret" warranty info?

We may need to take a poll on members with 20 grade spec engines and see what we have for problem free mileage.

 

[TomYoung]

Originally Posted By: ARCOgraphite
I you had a newer Subi with a stick id say use a 5w30, on the big engine Honda who knows. This is ALL anecdotal evidence of engine lasting as long on a 20 grade. Anybody have any industry "secret" warranty info?

We may need to take a poll on members with 20 grade spec engines and see what we have for problem free mileage.

If you look around BITOG, I think that you would find that the 20 weight oils do not detract one iota from longevity.

 

[CT8]

[/quote]If you look around BITOG, I think that you would find that the 20 weight oils do not detract one iota from longevity. [/quote]I would say most people don't keep their vehicles long enough to tell the difference with any oil or oil filter used of if the oil and filter really matter. If worried change the oil sooner than later.

 

[Branson304]

Just use a high quality 0W-20 synthetic changed accordingly to the oil life monitor. It would be best to follow the manufacturer's recommendation while under warranty.

 

[Maxximus]

Thanks for the advice! With 2-3 year leases I didn't really think about the long term health of my engine as the cars went right back to the dealer when the lease was done. Now that we have this CRV which we plan to keep I feel like a new parent fretting over all sorts of issues I am no expert on LOL!